Storage installations in particular with traction cable



H. INGOLD Dec. 4, 1956 STORAGE INSTALLATIONS IN PARTICULAR WITH TRACTION CABLE Filed Aug. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L E 22 13a I%. m% H Dec. 4, 1956 mGo 2,772,639

STOR AGE INSTALLATIONS IN PARTICULAR WITH TRACTION CABLE Filed Aug. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR. H /vs Dvqui United States Patent STORAGE INSTALLATIONS IN PARTICULAR WITH TRACTION CABLE Hans Ingold, Lucerne, Switzerland Application August 29, 1952, Serial No. 307,036

Claims priority, application Switzerland December 12, 1951 7 Claims. (Cl. 104-202) This invention refers to storage installations.

In archives and other storage spaces, containers are used for storing articles, such as books, files and like goods to be placed on open shelves of the containers, which are disposed in a row or rows, substantially without space between said containers. In order toobtain access to one of these containers, be it for the purpose of withdrawing or for storing any articles, the respective row of containers must be provided with an aisle whereby a number of containers are first laterally displaced to provide such aisle, said containers being moved in the direction of the row of the containers until the necessary space is thus formed.

There exist also devices of the aforesaid type whose various containers are serviced from a power source, to which said containers are operatively connected or connectable by means of a push bar extending in lengthwise direction of the row of the containers,'said push bar being provided with teeth engageable with drive means with which it is operatively connected for displacement in longitudinal direction of said push bar. Such drive means, however, is only suitable from an economic point of view for larger sized installations. In many cases, in particular for small installations, it is often desirable to provide a mechanical drive for the containers, this the more if the containers are rather too large for displacement by the hand of the operator.

The present invention concerns a device of the aforesaid nature for storing and preserving articles of any kind and in particular books, documents, files and other wares.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the invention to provide means afiording a space and time saving storage structure which may be readily manipulated even by unskilled labor, which is inexpensive to manufacture, is very economical and reliable in operation and works with a high degree of safety.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means ensuring great flexibility, adjustability and adaptability of the storage structure to many requirements of the practice, whereby any errors in the operation of the device are practically eliminated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means facilitating the coupling of the containers of the storage structure singly and selectively with one or the other side of an endless traction element or with neither of them, whereby the containers may be moved to desired locations and/or stopped thereat within the shortest time possible.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means rendering the possibility of accommodating the drive means for the containers of the storage structure within a recess in the floor over which the containers are movable along rails between which said drive means are arranged.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of means to automatically uncouple or to make 2,772,639 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 or displacement with unexpected or too great a resistance, such as in the case of emergency.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide means preventing movement of the storage containers with respect to each other in the position of rest and when they are uncoupled from the drive means.

These and other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose by way of example the principle of the invention and preferred modes which have been contemplated in applying said principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. l-is a first embodiment of the invention showing a container structure for storing any suitable articles, the containers being shown in side elevational view and partly in section taken along line I-I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the detail shown in Fig. 3. 1

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view taken along line VIVI of Fig. 5.

- of Fig. 9.

7o meifectlve the connection between drive means and container or containers if the latter meet during movement Fig.9 is a partial sectional view along line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail taken along line X-X of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows a detail in section taken along line XI-XI of Fig. 8. I

Fig. 12 shows still a further embodiment of the invention and similar to the detail shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged and partial sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12 with some parts shown in top plan view.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, there is shown a movable storage device with a plurality of containers 10 for receiving any suitable goods or articles to be stored; only three containers 10 being shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

These containers 10 are constituted by shelves or frames which may be used, for instance, from both sides and are carried or supported on rollers 11 which run on a pair of rails 12 so that the containers form a row, while same face each other with their open sides and are arranged successively with respect to each other. The row of containers may have any suitable or desired length. The rails 12 are somewhat longer than the length of the row of the containers, namely, about the width of an aisle to be established between adjacent containers so as to aiford withdrawal of articles or the storage of same from such aisle.

The rails 12 are also recessed in the floor of the storage or like building so that the upper running surface of the rails becomes substantially flush with the upper surface of the floor. Lengthwise of the row of the con tainers extend the two cable sides 13a and 13b of an endless flexible cable or similar traction element or band 13, for instance. Such cable runs over two guide rollers 14 and 15, as well as over an auxiliary roller 16. These rollers are all recessed within the floor and the two sides of the flexible traction element preferably run in suitable grooves 17 recessed in the floor, as'seen in Fig. 4. The roller 14 is shaped in the form of a tension roller.

21 whose shaft carries a worm 19a which meshes with.

the aforesaid worm wheel 19.

Below each container there are arranged two clamping devices, one of which being disposed in the path. and for cooperation with the cable side 13a and the other one with the cable side 13b of the cable or tow element. These clamping devices are more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and include each a clamping jaw 22 which is stationary and a cooperable jaw 23 which is movable relative to jaw 22. The stationary clamping jaws 22 are shaped to form guard and supporting meansfor the traction cable 13 and extend therebelow. The. movable clamping jaws 23 are swingably supported on a common shaft or axle 24 which extends horizontally and atright angles to the lengthwise direction of the row of. containers.

This shaft 24 is journaled on two blocks 25 from which the stationary jaws 22 extend. ,On the oneside of each container 10 there is arranged an operable or actuating member in the form of anarm or operating lever 26 which is fixed to the shaft 24. The swinging movement of lever 26 is limited by abutments 27 which define the extent of the swinging movement and consequently of the clamping action with respect to the traction cable sides According to Fig. 3 each movable jaw 23 possesses a clamping surface 23a which extends eccentrically with respect to the swinging axle of the jaw 23 so that by swinging the lever 26 to a greater extent from its median or neutral, substantially vertical position, the clamping action on the traction cable will be gradually increased. Generally, the arrangement is carried out so that upon swinging movement of the lever 26 in one direction coupling with the cable side 13a, and upon swingingmovement in the direction opposite thereto coupling with the other cable side 13b is eifectuated through clamping action. If the lever 26 is in the median position the movable clamping jaws 23 are disengaged from the cable.

On the shaft 24 is further arranged a lever extension on which, according to Fig. 3, two traction springs 28 are connected. These springs 28 have the tendency to maintain lever 26 in its median, substantially vertical position and to thus make ineffective the action of the clamping devices 22 and 23.

The end containersof the row of containers are provided with bumpers 29 provided at the outer ends of the same. Similar bumpers may also be provided on the remaining containers 19 so that between each pair of adjacent containers at leastone bumper or spacer is affixed. In the position of rest the heretofore mentioned containers 10 are all in close. contact with each other so that no aisles or spaces are provided therebetween. If one intends toobtain access to the open side of one of the containers, then those containers arrangedat one side of the required aisle must be displayed accordingly. To this end, motor 20 and drive connection 21. are operated for moving the endless cable 13.

By means of lever 26 any one of the containers may be coupled with a corresponding side of the traction cable which moves in a predetermined direction. Such container is then taken along by the cable and displaced lengthwise of the rails 12 so that all the containers positioned ahead of such respective container are also. displaced in the same direction. As soon as an aisle of the desired width has been formed the operating lever 26 is then released so that the respective container becomes disengaged from the tractionv cable and comes toa stop.

If. he. aisle. or corridor is, to, be closed again,,the. operating lever 26 of one of the end containers of the row of containers is swung in the corresponding direction whereby said one end container is coupled with the traction cable and is driven in the desired corresponding direction, thereby displacing all other containers ahead of that respective container until the aforesaid aisle or corridor has disappeared.

In an analogous manner the containers may be displaced singly and selective-1y in the one or the other di rection by means of other mechanical couplings and about the space which is at the disposal for obtaining access to any oneopen side of; the containers. The operator generally walks next to such driven container and the operating lever 26 is held in its operative position as long as the movement is to take place. If for one reason or another the operating lever 26 is released, then the springs 2,8.become effective, and 'pull lever. 26 to its neutral or median position so that the movement of the containers is. immediately stopped.

It is ofimportance that, the greatest possibleclamping action is, calculated to the, extent that the clamping devices22and-23 may still slide on the cable if the move. ment of the containers should. meet with unexpected resistanceor in case of any emergency.

To thisend it is contemplated to employ a, safety or friction clutch in the drive aggregate. 20-21. In this manner any undesirable. injuries and damages. to. the. storage device or installation are prevented which might inadvertently be caused.

The mode of execution shown in Figs. 5 and 6 distinguishesfrom the heretofore described arrangement'solely by; a somewhat different shape of the clamping devices. which. serve for coupling. of the containers with the one or the other side of the endless traction element (cable). The stationary clamping jaws 22 are arranged on one. block, or Support 30 in which the shaft, 24 is rotatably journaled- The, movable clamping jaws 23 are articulocated. on acorresponding swingable arm 31 which is. seated on shaft 24, the clampingjaws23 further carrying angabutment pin 32 which, in cooperationwith the swingable arm 31, prevents further rotation of the respective clamping jaws 23. about therpivot or stud 33.

This pivot 33 has preferably an eccentric. extension 33a on which is supported the corresponding swingable, arm 23:.

Due to this, arrangement it is possible that by means, of simple rotation of the pivot bolt 33 about its axis the distance of the axis of the respective jaw 23.from the shaft 24 may be changed within certain limits and thus therespective clamping action on the traction cable may be. somewhat, adjusted.

According to Fig. 7 each container 10 possesses a-v coupling hook 34, which is destined to cooperate. with. a corresponding, coupling book. 35. These coupling hooks.

are pivotahleabout respective studs 36 and are. under the. influence. of traction springs 37, the: same having the. tendency to maintain these'hooks in their operative .positions in whi h they are supported by a fixed abutment 38. Eachghookipossesses. an inclined glide face 34a, 35a, respectively, which. facilitates automatic interengagement; of the cooperating hooks of adjacent containers when placed inrimmediate. juxtaposition. to each other. The: coupling .hooks.34 and 35 of each container 10 are operatively connected by means of a rod. 39a39b with. the opemtinglever 26 .for actuating the clamping devices.

Therodparts39a and 39b are adjustable anddisplaceablein lengthwisedirection .thereofand to each other so that the length of'the rod. 39a39b. may be adequatelyregulated. Part 39b has a lengthy slot 40 through which" a stud or pin 41 provided on the coupling-hook 34 or 35 extends. When the coupling. hooks are oscillated during automatic-coupling of the containers then the traction-rod? 39a-39b andithe: operating lever 26 remain-in position; ofsrest.

If lever 26 is swung with its upper end toward the left according to Fig. 7 in order to couple the container for its movement or displacement toward the left with the corresponding side of the traction cable then simultaneously the coupling hook 35'is swung against the action of the spring 37 whereby the coupling with an adjacent container positioned at the right hand side of the aforesaid container, will be disengaged.

Thus the movement or displacement toward the left of the containers may then be etfectuated. The other coupling hook 34 remains now in its position of rest as tainer of the row of containers cooperates practically.

with a coordinated counter-hook which is, for instance, aflixed to a wall toward or away from which the container may move. Thus a locking action of the container in the position of rest and possibly also in open position may be afforded.

Each of the containers may also be equipped with a.

brake mechanism which is preferably also operatively connected to lever 26 for actuating the clamping device.

Details of such brake mechanism are shown in Figs. 8'

to 10. The operating lever 26 forms in that case part of a knee lever which is pivotally supported on a pin 45 on the wall of the container while the other arm 46 thereof is coupled to a clamping jaw 23 by means of a link 47. The shaft 24 on which clamping jaw 23 is journaled, carries an arm 48 which is connected to link 47 so that a rotation of shaft 24 within certain limits may be effectuated by means of the operating lever 26.

To the shaft 24 is further connected above one of the rails 12 a bearing 49 having two arm ends in each of which there is slidably disposed a pressure bolt 50. The end of each pressure bolt 50 which is directed toward the rail 12 is in the form of a projecting finger 51. Between these fingers and the arms for bearing 49 helical pressure springs 52 are arranged which surround bolts 50.

At the other end of the bolt 50 two lock-nuts 53 are disposed in order to secure and adjust each bolt 50 with respect to the desired action of the springs 52. Both fingers 51 abut against a bail-shaped member 54 which is made from an elastic, yieldable material, preferably spring steel, which is only aflixed with one of its ends by means of an angle iron 55 to the bottom of the container 10.

This bail-shaped member 54 is substantially arc-shaped but has a recess portion 56a which preferably extends between each projecting finger 51 of bolts 50. The part of the bail-shaped spring member 54 facing the rail 12 is provided with a brake lining 56. The operating lever 26 is movable within a guide frame 57 which is attached to the outer wall of the container 10, as shown. In this guide frame 57 there are disposed two leaf springs 58 in such manner that they are capable of releasably holding lever 26 in two predetermined positions as indicated in dot and dash lines Bi and B2, as seen in Fig. 8, whereby unintentional displacement of the lever 26 is eifectively prevented.

The operation of the heretofore described arrangement is as follows: If the operating lever 26 is in its median and substantially vertical position, as seen in Fig. 8, none of the clamping jaws 23 will engage with the traction element or cable 13.

The finger 51 of each of the pressure bolts 50 forces the springy and bail-shaped member 54 to take such a position that the brake lining 56 will not be in contact with the rail 12.

If it is desired that a container 10 be displaced-in a direction toward the left (see arrow in Fig. 8) and be coupled with the respective side of the traction element or cable 13a, then the operating arm 26 is swung into the position A in which lever 26 is limited in its movement by means of the aforesaid spring construction in guide frame 57.

In order to stop the movement of the container, the lever 26 is brought back to position B1, whereby the coordinated leaf spring 58 will retain said lever in this adjusted position B1. In this latter position the operating lever 26 causes disengagement of both clamping jaws 23 from the traction element or cable. One of the fingers 51 of one of the pressure bolts 50 under the action of the spring 52 presses now at 56a against the springy member 54 whereby the brake lining 56 of the latter is forced against the rail 12. The container 10 will be consequently stopped in the position B1 of the operating lever 26 and the container will be firmly held in said position during displacement. To release the brake the lever 26 is again swung into its median or neutral position.

If the container is to be displaced in a direction opposite to that just mentioned, then the operating lever 26 is swung in the direction and extreme position R (see Fig. 8).

In order to stop the container movement lever 26 assumes the position B2 in which one of the pressure bolts 50 again acts against the spring member 54 and through it on the brake lining 56 which engages rail 12 so that braking of the container is achieved. Each time when the disengagement or uncoupling of the container from one of the two sides of the endless traction element or cable 13 occurs the heretofore described braking device automatically will come into action.

The fact is that during coupling of the container with the traction element, the braking positions B1 and B2 passed by operating lever 26 has practically no influence on the operation. The pressure bolts 50 of the braking device are sufficiently yieldable by means of the springs 52 so that during the respective passage of the braking positions a strong braking effect cannot be had.

Another embodiment of a braking device made in accordance with the invention is partly shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The operating lever 26 is manipulated in the same manner as described with respect to the first embodiment, namely, directly through shaft 24 on which the respective movable jaws of the clamping devices (not shown) are positioned in order to couple the containers 10 with the-one or the other side of the traction element or cable. The one end of the shaft 24 is provided with a fork-shaped end piece 60 in which the operating lever 26 is pivotally journaled and in such a manner that the lever 26 may be moved in accordance with arrow P (Fig. 12) from the outer wall 10 of the container and away from the same.

The operating lever 26 is a part of a two-armed lever, one arm 61 of which is coupled with a push rod 62 which extends at least approximately at right angles to the movement of the containers in which they are displaced. The other end of this push rod 62 is articulated to an arm 63 which on the one hand is pivoted to a pin 64 and on the other hand is pivotally connected to arm 65 by means of a knee link 66; Arm 65 is provided with a longitudinal slot 67 into which extends a guide-stud 68.

The far end of the knee link 66 of the arm 65 carries a pressure bolt 69a which is adjustable by means of nut and threads and which generally abuts against the springy bail-shaped member 54. This latter member, similar to that of the embodiment hereinabove described, is fixed with one end to a suitable support (not shown) and carries on its convex surface a brake lining 56 which is adapted for cooperation with the running surface of one 7 ofthe rollers 11 to regulate the movement of the container.

Both arms 63 and 65 extend at least approximately parallel to the bottom face of the container. The traction spring 69 extends from opposite sides of the knee link 66 and is anchored on locations of arms 63 and 65, as shown. This spring 69 has the tendency to move the knee link.

Arm 61 which forms the extension of the operating lever 26 has a nose 70, which cooperates with an element 71 which in turn forms a bearing for the shaft 24, and possesses a flange 72 arranged opposite nose 70.

' This flange 72 is provided with a slot into which the nose 70 may project when the operating lever 26 is swung in the direction of arrow P. Generally the flange 72 prevents an oscillatory movement of the operating lever 26'due to the abutment of nose 76 thereagainst if the nose is not just disposed opposite or registers with the slot.

The coupling of the container with the one or other side of the endless traction cable or similar element is accomplished by means of the operating lever 26 in the same way as hereinabove described. Besides this, the operating lever 26 when it assumes its median or neutral position in which it is disengaged from the traction cable, may also be oscillated in the direction of arrow P. Thus the push rod 62 presses arm 63 against the action of spring 69. The pressure bolt 69a subsequently deforms the elastic, bail-shaped member 54 so that the brake lining 56' makes contact with the roller 11 and brings about a braking eifect for the container.

Upon disengagement of the operating lever 26 the same is guided back to its starting position under the influence of traction spring 69. If the container is coupled with the one or the other side of the endless traction cable as heretofore described, the brake mechanism cannot be brought into effect as the nose 70 and flange 72 Will prevent such action.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a device for storing articles of any description, in particular books, documents and files comprising a plurality of storage containers which are normally in contact with one another to close the storage device or plant, drive means for said containers, coupling means associated with at least one of said containers and at least two elements in operative connection with the drive means and constructed for movement in opposed direction to each other, each coupling means including two parts each of which being cooperable with a respective one of said elements whereby'said coupling means of said one container may cause selectively one of said parts to engage one of said elements to displace said one container in one direction or willcause the other part to engage the other element for moving said one container in another direction, the movement of the one container being regulatable to thereby provide a space between said one container and an adjacent one of the remaining containers, whereby access to the storage containers may be had.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and herein described, it will be understood that the same is capable of modifications without departure from the general scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is. claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. Drive means for displaceable. storage containers,

shelves and like devices comprising atleast two traction elementsarranged for continuous movement in opposed directionto eachother and accommodated below said storage containers, supporting means for said containers means supported by at least one of said containers and constructedfor coaction with one of said elements, said latter means including an axle disposed on the lower portion of said one container, an operable member connected to said axle and extending therefrom outside of said one container for manipulation by an operator, respective movable and stationary clamping means supported by said lower container portion, said stationary clamping means slidably supporting said traction elements, respectively, said movable clamping means being, respectively, actuatable by said operable member against one of said stationary clamping means to thereby couple the latter" with one of said traction elements for movement therewith and against another of said stationary clamping means to thereby uncouple said one stationary clamping means and to couple said other stationary clamping means for movement with the other traction element, means operatively connected to and normally maintaining said movable clamping means in uncoupled position and brake means mounted for displacement about said axle and engageable-with said supporting means of said containers, said brake means being ioperatively connected to and actuable by said operable member in predetermined positions of thelatter.

2. Drive means according to claim 1, including rail means forming said supporting means, and friction exerting means forming part of said brake means and carried by said lower container portion, said friction means being actuatable by another part of said brake meansagainst said rail means.

3. Drive means according to claim 2, wherein said operable member forms a swingable lever, said swingable lever being adapted to rotate said axle, to thereby bring. about successively, coupling with one or the other of said traction elements and subsequently engagement of said friction means with said rail means in said predetermined positions of said swingable lever.

4. Drive means according to claim 3, wherein said swingable lever laterally and upwardly projects from said axle, and means guiding said lever to said predetermined positions.

5. Drive means according to claim 1, including abutment means seated on said axle for limiting actuation of said operable member.

6. Drive means according to claim 5, said abutment means being substantially centrally disposed on said axis and intermediate sail movable clamping means.

7. Drive means according to claim 1, including hookshaped connecting means actuatable by said operable member for connecting and disconnecting respectively, adjacent containers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,000,106 Morris Aug. 8, 1911- 1,418,714 Humphries June 6, 1922 1,435,153 Dick Nov. 14, 1922 1,731,691 Webb Oct. 15, 1929 2,654,489. Ingold Aug. 6, 1953; 2,707,442 Ingold May 3, 1955 

